48 Hours in Chicago (Part Two) Posted by sasha on Dec 12, 2016
Our first day in Chicago was a busy one. It included a walk past the fountain in Grant Park and then continued along Lake Michigan to Navy Pier and Lincoln Park. There’s lots more to see and do in the Windy City, so get ready for a great second day. In Part Two, take a…
What is a Pun? Posted by Gary Locke on Dec 9, 2016
A pun, or paronomasia, is a play on words which exploits the vagaries of language. Since many English words often sound alike, and have multiple meanings, puns are everywhere. A pun may be a joke, but not all jokes are puns. Jokes may contain clever wordplay, but they don’t have to. All puns are made…
Want Fun with English? Says You! Posted by Gary Locke on Dec 2, 2016
One of the great pleasures of any language is getting to play with it. Word games, brainteasers, puzzles and quizzes – they all have ways to both challenge and educate us. For over two decades, a radio show in the U.S. has delighted and confounded its listeners by having fun with the English language. Please…
48 Hours in Chicago (Part One) Posted by sasha on Nov 29, 2016
When you talk about great American cities, Chicago always comes up. The architecture, culture, and of course the beautiful scenery of Lake Michigan draws in millions of tourists every year. See what you can do with 48 Hours in Chicago in our new video series: “Chicago is the 3rd largest city in the United States…
Thanksgiving History and Customs Posted by sasha on Nov 24, 2016
Today is an important, traditional holiday in the United States – Thanksgiving. This national holiday is celebrated every year on the 4th Thursday in November. Let’s learn a bit about the history and customs of this special day. History Back in the 1600s, European settlers were traveling to and settling in America. One group of…
A Corny Thanksgiving Posted by Gary Locke on Nov 23, 2016
Corn. The history of the United States is uniquely tied to this one crop. So, too, is our language. When the first English settlers arrived in what became Jamestown, Virginia in 1607 the colonists, unused to the rigors of agriculture, faced years of near starvation. They attempted to trade with the local natives for their…
Get to Know Your Orchestra Posted by Gary Locke on Nov 17, 2016
As the holidays approach, symphonies around the U.S. get a little less serious. One of the great treasures of any community is its musicians. In the United States you will find bands, orchestras, philharmonics, symphonies, and ensembles of all sizes playing every weekend. Most towns have some form of a brass or jazz band in…